Essence Of Maha Bhagavatha Purana

Samantaka Mani ( Jewel), Satyabhama and Jambavati Secured

Maha Muni Suka narrated another episode to King Parikshith about double weddings to Krishna in a sequence. King Satrajit was an ardent devotee of Lord Surya and blessed him with a fantastic jewel, known as ‘Syamantaka Mani’ providing not only dazzling light like Sun God himself , but also yields eight ‘bharas’( approx. ten Kg) of gold daily. Satrajit was overwhelmed with this incredible gift and desired to share the joy with Krishna whom he visited at His abode. Jokingly, Krishna asked Satrajit to spare the jewel for some time and was promptly declined.

Satrajit’s brother, Prasena, wore the rare jewel and visited hunting to a forest. A lion killed him and ‘ Jambavanta’ the illustrious Bear of Ramayana killed the lion in turn and took it to his cave to let his baby play with it. As Prasena did not return from the forest for a few days, Satrajit asked Krishna whether he knew any thing about Prasena as he did not return back.There were stray doubts expressed in the neighbourhood about Krishna’s credibility in the context. Krishna desired to vindicate His position and proceeded to the forest visited by Prasena and found his dead body and also that of a lion. He traced the foot steps of an animal to a cave and found a baby playing with the jewel. A huge bear entered and a fierce battle ensued for days together. As Krishna defeated the Bear, he felt that an ordinary human being could not be invincible against him and eventually recognised Krishna as another incarnation of Lord Rama or Lord Vishnu Himself. Intensive prayers were made by Jambavan and with humility and devotion he returned to Krishna the precious jewel as also offered his beautiful daughter Jambavati in wedding. On return from the forest, Krishna returned the jewel to Satrajit, who felt humiliated by suspecting Krishna and as an atonement returned the Jewel and requested Him to accept Satyabhama too as His spouse. Subsequently there were five other marriages by Krishna  to Kalindi, Mitravinda, Satya, Lakshmana and Bhadra, besides of course, Rukmini, Satyabhama and Jambavati.

On  hearing the unbelievable news that ‘Pancha Pandavas’ and mother Kunti were burnt  in a Lac house constructed for them by King Dhritarashtra at the instance of ‘Dushta Chatushtaya’
(the Four Villians of Kauravas) –indeed Krishna knew that He arranged their safe exit from the House- Krishna and Balarama  left for Hastinapura to personally convey their condolences to the elders of Kuru Vamsa. Taking the advantage of their absence, Evil minded Satadhanvu, as instigated by Akrura and Kritavarma, killed Satrajit in sleep and stole the Syamantaka Jewel. Satyabhama was horrified at her father’s demise and rushed to Hastinapuram to ask the Yadu brothers at once. As Satadhanvu and his instigators trembled at the news of the return of the brothers, Satadhanva kept the invaluable Jewel to the personal care of Akrura and fled fast for his life. Krishna and Balarama chased and killed the culprit but the Jewel was not recovered. Krishna  returned to Dvaraka for the obsequies of Satrajit, while Balarama suspected Akrura and recovered from Akrura’s dead body.